As the group walked along the winding road leading out of Eldoria, the bustling city slowly faded behind them. The towering spires and ancient walls of the city grew smaller in the distance as the open road stretched before them, leading toward the rugged mountains they would soon traverse.
The early morning air was fresh, and the rhythmic sound of their footsteps was accompanied by the occasional chirp of birds and the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. For a moment, the atmosphere was quiet, almost serene—until Morris broke the silence with a teasing grin.
"So, Kaelen," Morris began, his voice light and playful, "does Lila know about this little pilgrimage of yours? Or did you just sneak off without telling her?"
Kaelen glanced at Morris, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He could sense the mischief in Morris’s tone, and he wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of seeing him flustered. "She knows," Kaelen replied casually, keeping his gaze ahead. "In fact, she’s the one who encouraged me to go. Said it would be a good opportunity to push my limits and be ready for the Battle Convention."
Ethan, walking beside them, let out a low whistle. "Well, I’d say she’s right about that. You’ll need all the training you can get if you’re aiming to win that thing. But I’ve got to admit, I’m impressed. I figured Lila might try to talk you out of it."
Kaelen shook his head, a hint of fondness in his voice. "She’s not like that. Lila understands what’s important to me. She knows this pilgrimage is necessary if we’re going to stand a chance in the Battle Convention."
Morris chuckled, his teasing tone still present. "Well, that’s good to hear. I’m sure she’ll be keeping an eye on your progress when you get back."
Kaelen raised an eyebrow, casting a sidelong glance at Morris. "What about you, though? Does your father know you’re heading off on this pilgrimage with us?"
Morris’s grin faltered for a moment, and he glanced at Ethan before shrugging. "Yeah, he knows. I mean, I did tell him, after all. But you know how he is—he wasn’t exactly thrilled about it."
Ethan, catching on to the exchange, grinned and jumped in. "Oh yeah, Lord Grey was all for it—as long as I was tagging along." He patted Morris on the back with a mockingly proud expression. "I’m the insurance policy, in case you all get into too much trouble."
Morris rolled his eyes but smiled. "You’re not wrong. My father might not say it outright, but he’s protective. He agreed to let me go because he knows I’ll be with you two—and, of course, with Guinevere."
Kaelen chuckled. "So you’re telling me your father is more comfortable with you traveling across dangerous lands with me, Ethan, and the General’s personal disciple than he is with just you going on your own?"
Morris shrugged, smirking. "Something like that. He trusts the people around me more than he trusts me to stay out of trouble, I guess."
Ethan let out a laugh. "Well, at least we know we’ve got his blessing, right? Besides, with Guinevere leading us, I’d say we’re in good hands."
Kaelen nodded, his thoughts briefly drifting to the journey ahead. Though they teased and joked with each other, they all knew the stakes were high. The pilgrimage would test them in ways they hadn’t yet imagined, and the Battle Convention loomed on the horizon, a far greater challenge that would require every ounce of skill and strength they could muster.
But for now, the camaraderie and light-hearted banter between friends made the weight of what lay ahead feel a little lighter.
"Well, then," Kaelen said, his tone shifting back to seriousness as they continued down the road. "Let’s just hope this pilgrimage gets us where we need to be. The Battle Convention won’t wait for anyone."
Morris grinned, the playful gleam in his eyes not entirely gone. "Don’t worry. By the time we get back, we’ll be more than ready for whatever comes next."
With that, the group pressed forward, leaving behind the familiar sights of Eldoria and setting their sights on the challenges that awaited them.
’Let me go through my stats just one more time’ While they were getting even further away from the city of Eldoria, Kaelen suddenly thought before he muttered in a tone so low that only him could hear it.
"Online: Blades of Eternity"
And in not less than a minute later, a very familiar screen suddenly popped up on his face which contains his profile and his strength level.
### Kaelen’s Stats and Level Overview
---
**Name:** Kaelen
**Level:** 27
**Class:** Swordsman
**Affiliation:** Internal Student, Pace Setter Academy
**Stats:**
- **Health (HP):** 15000/15000
- **Mana (MP):** 1500/1500
- **Strength:** 100
- **Agility:** 94
- **Endurance:** 55
- **Intelligence:** 42
- **Wisdom:** 45
- **Dexterity:** 60
- **Charisma:** 27
- **Luck:** 20
**Skill Points Available:** 25
**Skills:**
1. **Sword Mastery (Intermediate):** Increases damage dealt with swords by 50%. Enhances precision and speed in sword techniques.
2. **Mana Control (Intermediary):** Allows basic manipulation and control of mana. Improves efficiency and reduces mana consumption by 20%.
3. **Quick Step:** Increases movement speed for short bursts, useful for dodging and rapid positioning.
4. **Basic Heal:** A basic healing spell that can restore a considerable amount of HP. Limited by Kaelen’s mana pool.
5. **Aura Detection (Intermediate):** Allows Kaelen to sense the presence and strength of others’ auras within a certain radius.
**Equipment:**
- **Weapon:** Blue Blade of Eternity (Level 2) - A sword imbued with mysterious power, effective in both physical and magical attacks.
- **Armor:** Standard Internal Student Uniform - Provides minimal protection but allows for ease of movement.
-**Accessories:**
- **Mana Bracelet:** Increases Mana regeneration rate by 5%.
- **Training Boots:** Slightly increases agility.
-**Armor of the Eternal Guardian:**- A legendary set of armor that enhances your physical resilience and magical defense [Unlocked].**
-**The Book of Honor:**- A book that contains all the skill moves of the past users of the Blade of Eternity (Unlocked)
**Special Abilities:**
- **Minimal Aura of the Swordsman:** A brief, aura-based manifestation that increases Kaelen’s combat capabilities, particularly his focus and precision, for a short duration.
This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.
-**Sword Rain:** Allows you to send out innumerable amount of sword thrust on your opponent.
-**Sword Furry:** Allows you to unleash a wave of ethereal blades upon your enemies.
-**Primal Mana**- A strange and unidentifiable mana that traces back to the birth of mana and magic in the world (Uncontrollable)
**Description:**
Kaelen, now at Level 27, is developing into a capable swordsman with a balanced set of skills. His focus on physical prowess is complemented by a growing understanding of mana manipulation, which he uses to enhance his combat techniques. Though still learning, Kaelen has demonstrated potential in quick decision-making and adaptability in combat scenarios.
As he progresses, he’ll have opportunities to further develop his skills, unlock new abilities, and enhance his gear, aiming to become one of the top students at the Pace Setter Academy.
’Ok, nothing has changed. But I do which this system could stop mocking me’ Kaelen thought with a wry look on his face as he placed his eyes on the word ’Uncontrollable’ that is in a bracket.
"Everyone get ready, we are about to enter the slippery valley" But not too long while Kaelen was silently weeping, Guinevere suddenly spoke up with a solemn expression on her face.